17 | Future-Proofing Finale: Member Engagement & Future-Ready Boards

In this season-closing episode of Build Better Boards, hosts Dr. Keri Jacobs and Richard Fagerlin reflect on Season 2’s “future-proofing” theme through a candid conversation with Courtney Berner, Executive Director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. Together they examine how boards can stay resilient by strengthening member connections, clarifying governance roles, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

• Member engagement isn’t one-size-fits-all: Courtney describes a “pyramid of engagement,” noting that everyday actions—shopping, answering surveys—can be as valuable as board service in building board-member connectivity.
• Close the feedback loop: Boards that ask for input must report back on how insights shaped decisions; doing so reinforces trust and keeps members willing to contribute.
• Trust rests on three pillars: Richard links integrity, competence, and compassion to directors’ legal duties of loyalty, care, and obedience—underscoring that high-trust boards make better, faster decisions.
• Healthy disagreement is essential: Directors are urged to seek first to understand opposing views, using curiosity and clarifying questions to turn conflict into better outcomes.
• “Future-proofing” is really about adaptability: Courtney challenges the term, arguing that clear purpose, shared values, and lifelong learning are what prepare boards for unpredictable change.
  

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